:...Deputy Llywydd, I would
now like to turn to the Bill itself, and will broadly set out
what each section does and why. We start with food goals. They
provide a mechanism to ensure that the Bill achieves its key
policy objective, or the primary food goal—that is, to deliver
affordable, healthy and economically, environmentally and
socially sustainable food for the people now and for future
generations. This is supported by a range of secondary food goals
that cover things like health, social and economic well-being,
environment and biodiversity, and, of course, food waste. The
Bill places a duty on public bodies to take reasonable steps to
advance the primary food goal and the secondary food goals, such
as through the National Food
Strategy and local food plans. There is also a
requirement on Welsh Ministers to consolidate existing targets,
as well as to establish additional targets on how to meet the
food goals. The reason for this provision is to establish a
consistent direction of travel for the Welsh food system, as well
as increasing accountability within it. During consultation, it
was made clear that there is a lack of coherent approach to Welsh
food policy, as well as within the wider food system. Sixty-three
per cent of respondents to the consultation on the draft Bill
believed that the Welsh Government food-related strategies are
not joined up enough. And whilst there are a number of plans in
place, many of these lack scrutiny and accountability
mechanisms.
Back in 2010, the Welsh Government's 'Food for Wales' strategy,
which I know the Llywydd will know rather well, made welcome
progress in establishing a more holistic approach to food policy.
But it lacked systems of targets and data collection to measure
what progress was made. After this, successive strategies, such
as the 2014 action plan and the 2021 vision for the food and
drink industry, have moved the focus towards economic growth and
promoting exports, as opposed to using the food system to address
wider social issues. So, the food goals reflect what the previous
environment committee argued for in their report, 'Rethinking
food in Wales'—that is for a strategy that reflects a
whole-system approach. To translate the food goals into policy,
the Welsh Government would be expected to produce a National Food
Strategy, whilst some public bodies, such as councils
and health boards, will be required to produce local food plans.
It is expected that the local plans will reinforce the objectives
of the national strategy. These will draw together existing
policies and promote innovation at a national and local level.
They will also ensure consistency in policy too.
Food Policy Alliance Cymru have pointed out a number of examples
where food policy in Wales has been somewhat inconsistent, such
as missed opportunities to connect Welsh Government's food and
drink retail plan with the 'Healthy Weight: Healthy Wales'
strategy, and the minimum alcohol pricing policy versus the
Government's drink strategy. These plans will also boost the food
and drink sector in Wales by strengthening the resilience of
local supply chains. It will create new economic opportunities
within communities, by ensuring that public bodies increase their
procurement of locally produced food, and improve the local
environment by focusing on the production of more sustainable
produce.
Dirprwy Llywydd, the final main aspect of the Bill is the
creation of a Welsh food commission, made up of a board and
chair. It is intended that members will be drawn from across the
food system. The commission will reset the governance of the food
system in Wales, and will co-create and oversee the delivery of a
National Food
Strategy, alongside Welsh Ministers and other
stakeholders. It will hold delivery partners to account, to
ensure that food goal targets and policy aims are met. The
commission can also use its role to build policy expertise and
capacity within Wales...
To read the whole debate, OPEN HERE
